Post by Shawn on Jun 7, 2006 22:15:18 GMT -5
These are the items compiled by suggestions from all board members about items to have on hand for pre-, during & post calving. (Some suggestions I've cut & pasted from prior threads, with minor editing.)
Sally:
Clean straw
safe clean enclosure with bedding that can be licked off a calf unobjectionably. (straw or confined pasture with clean short grass)
Calf pulling chains with handles
come-along
lubricant (KY)
Headgate or immobilizing ties, halter, collar & ropes.
hay hooks
phone with vet's number
Iodine solution and squirt bottle or little cup to dip navel
2 cotton terry bath towels
gal of clean water or running water & hose
sewing kit with carpet needle and thread.
calf bottle with nipple
stainless milk bucket
funnel & course filter cloth (like tee shirt cotton )
love & patience
Claire:
Calving supplies- old towels, one of those bulb suction things to clear out the calf's mouth and nose if needed, calcium gel/ paste, iodine to dip the navel, calf bottle. IF you don't have a vet who can come out I would get 60 cc. syringes, disposable needles, and 2-3 bags of calcium so you can do sub-Q injections in case of milk fever. A lot of this stuff can be ordered online from a livestock supply company.
Pair of OB sleeves.
Midge:
The cow needs a few pounds of molasses. Right after the calf hits the ground I give the cow 3-5, 5 gallon buckets of warm water, each with about 2.5 lb of liquid molasses in it, depending on how many buckets of warm water and molasses the cow will drink. I continue to feed about 2.5 lbs. per day for the next two or three weeks before decreasing to a maintainance daily dose.
I also add raspberry leaf tea (recipe over in tree of knowledge) to the warm molasses brew. Since doing this, my girls pass the placenta within two or three hours of giving birth.
A good torch and spare batteries are an essential part of a calving kit.
'Veterinary Lubricant' comes in plastic quart bottles and is very reasonably priced and freely available from Vet clinics, as are disposable OB sleeves. A tube of KY wouldn't go far with a cow!
Another thing worth noting, although you may not have ever done it before, performing a 'vaginal examination' of a cow in prolonged labour is easy, and can be a lifesaver. If you think your cow needs Veterinary attention and you've done an internal you'll be able to tell the Vet over the phone whether the calf is alive and how it's presenting, vital information.
Countrylass:
I use about 1/2 cup (Epsom Salts) in a 5 gallon bucket. Then I also add it to her water barrel in her stall, and I leave it, and just add fresh daily.
Drovergirl
A hair dryer is handy to use to warm a calf in cold weather if you're not bringing it into the house.
If you have questions about how to use these items, please post in this thread.
www.familycow.proboards32.com/index.cgi?board=cow&action=display&thread=1149613130
Thanks for everyone's help.
Shawn
Sally:
Clean straw
safe clean enclosure with bedding that can be licked off a calf unobjectionably. (straw or confined pasture with clean short grass)
Calf pulling chains with handles
come-along
lubricant (KY)
Headgate or immobilizing ties, halter, collar & ropes.
hay hooks
phone with vet's number
Iodine solution and squirt bottle or little cup to dip navel
2 cotton terry bath towels
gal of clean water or running water & hose
sewing kit with carpet needle and thread.
calf bottle with nipple
stainless milk bucket
funnel & course filter cloth (like tee shirt cotton )
love & patience
Claire:
Calving supplies- old towels, one of those bulb suction things to clear out the calf's mouth and nose if needed, calcium gel/ paste, iodine to dip the navel, calf bottle. IF you don't have a vet who can come out I would get 60 cc. syringes, disposable needles, and 2-3 bags of calcium so you can do sub-Q injections in case of milk fever. A lot of this stuff can be ordered online from a livestock supply company.
Pair of OB sleeves.
Midge:
The cow needs a few pounds of molasses. Right after the calf hits the ground I give the cow 3-5, 5 gallon buckets of warm water, each with about 2.5 lb of liquid molasses in it, depending on how many buckets of warm water and molasses the cow will drink. I continue to feed about 2.5 lbs. per day for the next two or three weeks before decreasing to a maintainance daily dose.
I also add raspberry leaf tea (recipe over in tree of knowledge) to the warm molasses brew. Since doing this, my girls pass the placenta within two or three hours of giving birth.
A good torch and spare batteries are an essential part of a calving kit.
'Veterinary Lubricant' comes in plastic quart bottles and is very reasonably priced and freely available from Vet clinics, as are disposable OB sleeves. A tube of KY wouldn't go far with a cow!
Another thing worth noting, although you may not have ever done it before, performing a 'vaginal examination' of a cow in prolonged labour is easy, and can be a lifesaver. If you think your cow needs Veterinary attention and you've done an internal you'll be able to tell the Vet over the phone whether the calf is alive and how it's presenting, vital information.
Countrylass:
I use about 1/2 cup (Epsom Salts) in a 5 gallon bucket. Then I also add it to her water barrel in her stall, and I leave it, and just add fresh daily.
Drovergirl
A hair dryer is handy to use to warm a calf in cold weather if you're not bringing it into the house.
If you have questions about how to use these items, please post in this thread.
www.familycow.proboards32.com/index.cgi?board=cow&action=display&thread=1149613130
Thanks for everyone's help.
Shawn